/  / 


DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  INTERIOR 
Franklin  K.  Lane,  Secretary 

US    R^^TAMATION  SERVICE 
Arthur  F.  Davis,  Director 


SUMMARY 


OP 


,  SOLDIER  SETTLEMENTS  IN 
ENGLISH-SPEAKING  COUNTRIES 


ELWOOD  MEAD 

CONSULTING  ENGINEER,  U.  S.  RECLAMATION  SERVICE 


c 


\ 


WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFICE 

1919 


DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  INTERIOR 

Franklin  K.  Lane,  Secretary 

U.  S.  RECLAMATION  SERVICE 
Arthur  P.  Davis,  Director 


SUMMARY 


OP 

SOLDIER  SETTLEMENTS  IN 
ENGLISH-SPEAKING  COUNTRIES 

Property  of 
Univ.  of  Ca!i 
Library 

ELWOOD  MEAD 

CONSULTING  ENGINEER,  U.  S,  RECLAMATION  SERVICE 


WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT  PRINTING   OFFICE 

1919 


I  I  .11     !>■ 


ME 


^   1 


i'(  f^:^^ 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 

Foreword 5 

Summary  of    soldier  settlements    in  English-speaking  coun- 
tries    7 

Note  on  the  cooperation  of  public  and  private  interest  in  land 

settlement  for  soldiers 10 

Great  Britain 11 

Canada 13 

The  Dominion  Government . 13 

New  Brunswick 15 

Province  of  Ontario 15 

British  Columbia 17 

Australia 18 

Australia's  experience  in  land  settlement 18 

New  South  Wales 19 

Victoria 21 

Queensland ...  22 

South  Australia 24 

Tasmania •. 25 

New  Zealand 26 

Union  of  South  Africa 28 

(3) 


FOREWORD. 


The  followinfi;  summary  of  soldier-settlement  legislation  of  other 
countries  is  published  to  help  the  people  of  this  Nation  understand 
and  deal  with  one  of  the  reconstruction  problems  which  confronts 
us.  The  laws  have  special  value  because  in  most  countries  they  are 
the  outgrowth  of  several  years'  experience,  prior  to  the  war,  with 
a  rural  development  under  which  land  was  bought,  subdivided,  im- 
proved, and  sold  to  settlers  on  long-time  payments.  Provision  for 
soldier  settlement  required,  therefore,  only  the  broadening  of  a 
system  of  laws  and  policies  already  in  operation. 

One  important  feature  of  these  laws  is  the  provision  for  coopera- 
tion between  the  Federal  and  State  authorities  in  Canada  and  Aus- 
tralia, and,  generally  speaking,  between  the  central  Government  and 
the  local  authorities. 

It  will  be  noticed  that  Australia,  which  has  an  area  about  equal  to 
the  United  States,  has  a  comprehensive  scheme  for  cooperation  be- 
tween the  Commonwealth  Government  and  the  several  State  govern- 
ments, under  which  the  States  provide  the  land  and  the  Federal 
Government  provides  the  money  for  reclamation,  where  this  is  neces- 
sary, and  for  financing  the  improvement  and  equipment  for  farms. 
Such  cooperation  makes  the  movement  truly  national  because  it  en- 
lists all  sections  of  the  country  and  mobilizes  in  the  service  of  soldiers 
public  agencies  which  have  the  practical  and  technical  knowledge 
needed  to  secure  the  desired  results  with  the  least  effort,  money,  and 
time. 

It  is  believed  that  this  cooperation  should  be  the  outstanding  fea- 
ture of  our  legislation.  If  the  movement  is  to  be  national  in  the 
fullest  sense,  every  State  should  provide  opportunities  for  its  sons 
and  should  contribute  to  the  expense  and  share  in  the  direction  of 
the  movement.  If  this  plan  is  followed.  State  legislation  is  as  neces- 
sary as  Federal  legislation  and  both  ought  to  be  enacted  this  winter. 

It  is  hoped  the  facts  herein  stated  will  help  to  show  the  character 
of  the  legislation  required  and  the  extent  of  the  work  to  be  done  if 
we  are  to  meet  our  responsibilities  as  other  English-speaki ng  coun- 


tries are  meeting  theirs. 


(5) 


SUMMARY 

OF 


SOLDIER  SETTLEMENTS  IN  ENGLISH- 
SPEAKING  COUNTRIES. 


Legislation,  Administration,  and  Appropriations. 

All  English-speaking  countries  except  the  United  States  have 
passed  special  soldier  settlement  legislation  and  made  appropriations 
therefor.  Where  good  free  land  exists  this  is  offered  the  soldier,  but 
even  when  such  exists  he  is  usually  given  assistance  in  the  individual 
purchase  of  private  land,  or  such  private  land  is  purchased  by  the 
State  in  blocks.  In  countries  like  England,  New  Zealand,  Victoria, 
and  New  South  Wales  it  is  largely  a  question  of  resuming  land. 

When  land-settlement  boards  do  not  already  exist  they  have  had 
to  be  created,  except  in  the  case  of  Ontario  and  some  of  the  other 
Canadian  Provinces,  which  are  using  their  minister  of  lands,  their 
agricultural,  and  forestry  departments  for  this  purpose. 

Handling  applications  and  placing  soldiers  is  largely  decentralized 
and  in  the  hands  of  voluntary  local  committees. 

The  English  and  Canadian  method  of  settlement  is  to  establish 
central  farms  on  which  to  try  out  crops,  to  employ  and  train  settlers, 
stock  them  with  animals  and  implements  for  the  use  of  the  settlers, 
and  about  these  farms  to  lay  out  farm  blocks  of  varying  dimensions. 
The  Australian  plan  is  to  follow  the  policy  of  closer  settlement 
already  laid  down  and  so  successfully  prosecuted. 

Explicit  data  concerning  total  appropriations  are  not  available. 
The  usual  method  is  to  start  the  work  with  a  small  appropriation 
and  to  add  to  it  as  required.  In  the  case  of  Canadian  Provinces  and 
the  Dominion,  funds  come  from  an  appropriation  for  general 
development,  probably  derived  from  taxation;  in  England  it  is 
a  disbursement  from  the  treasury;  in  New  Zealand  and  Australia 
the  funds  are  derived  wholly  from  the  sale  of  bonds  in  the  London 
mai'ket. 

(7) 


8 

Eespective  Spheres  of  State  and  Federal  Action. 

In  the  two  countries  where  a  Federal  Government  exists,  namely, 
Canada  and  Australia,  tentative  steps  have  been  taken  toward  work- 
ing out  a  cooperative  plan  the  general  nature  of  which  is  for  the 
general  Government  to  supply  the  funds  for  loan  advances  and  for 
the  States  to  supply  the  land  and  to  supervise  its  division,  and  maybe 
control.  A  general  board  has  been  appointed  in  each  case  and  on 
which  each  of  the  States  or  Provinces  is  represented.  Undoubtedly 
when  the  period  of  demobilization  approaches  this  plan  in  the  case 
of  Canada  and  Australia  will  be  carried  out  in  great  detail. 

Kind  and  Amount  of  Aid. 

Aid  to  the  soldier  takes  a  variety  of  forms.  There  are,  first,  the 
allowances  which  are  given  a  soldier  for  himself  and  family  in  the 
probationary  period  of  working  and  beginning  of  experience;  under 
this  head  might  be  mentioned  transportation  which  all  of  the  coun- 
tries offer  the  soldiers  when  they  are  traveling  to  training  stations 
or  to  the  land ;  second,  either  the  giving  of  land  or  the  pricing  it  to 
the  soldier  at  the  cost  of  purchase  and  subdivision ;  third,  the  supply- 
ing of  advice,  guidance  and  instructions  by  all  countries ;  fourth,  the 
supply  of  grading,  farm  tools  and  sometimes  farm  animals  free  or  at 
cost  (under  this  head  may  be  mentioned  the  supply  of  seeds  and  fer- 
tilizers) ;  fifth,  credit  advances  for  the  taking  up  of  mortgages  and 
incumbrances,  for  clearing,  leveling,  and  ditching  of  lands,  for  erec- 
tion of  fences,  buildings,  barns  and  houses,  for  the  building  of 
homes;  sixth,  assistance  in  the  organizations  of  cooperative  buying 
and  selling  associations  and  the  giving  of  whatever  aid  the  State 
Governments  ought  to  give  in  this  direction. 

In  every  instance  the  payments  for  the  purchase  of  the  land  or 
for  the  reimbursement  to  the  State  for  advances  are  stretched  over  a 
long  period  of  time.  The  period  of  payment  varies  from  20  years, 
as  in  the  case  of  Ontario,  to  36^  years,  which  is  the  case  in  the 
Australian  States.  Advances  for  stock  and  developments  are  repay- 
able in  from  10  to  25  years.  The  interest  charged  is  seldom  more 
than  ^  cent  more  than  the  interest  paid  on  public  securities. 

Types  of  Land  Tenure. 

In  Canada  freehold  rights  prevail.  In  England  the  perpetual 
lease  predominates.  In  New  Zealand  both  the  lease  and  the  freehold 
are  given.  In  Australia  some  of  the  States,  such  as  New  South  Wales, 
South  Australia,  and  Queensland,  do  not  give  a  freehold  title.  The 
occupier  pays  a  rent  of  about  1^  per  cent  of  the  capital  value  of  the 
land  and  receives  a  perpetual  lease  which  is  inheritable  and,  under 
certain  restrictions,  transferable.  The  other  States  offer  a  freehold 
title  or  a  lease.     The  governments  of  all  these  countries  are  not  in- 


clined  to  part  with  thoir  <]:razin^  lands  or  lands  that  are  suitable  for 
further  subdivisions.  They  are  usually  leased  for  short  or  long 
terms. 

In  nearly  all  cases,  while  the  soldier  is  not  legally  required  to  main- 
tain a  residence,  he  can  not  lease  his  land  or  transfer  it  within  a 
stated  period  and  he  can  not  meet  his  payments  on  the  advances  re- 
ceived unless  he  is  giving  his  whole  attention  to  his  land.  Residence, 
therefore,  is  practically  assured. 

Selection  and  Training  of  Soldiers. 

The  selection  of  soldiers  and  the  advice  they  receive  is  largely  in 
the  hands  of  local  committees  in  the  case  of  Canada,  England,  and 
Australia.  Such  local  committees  are  usually  expected  to  give  their 
advice  in  the  selection  of  lands  to  be  purchased  by  the  State. 

Some  training  of  the  soldier  in  agriculture,  and  some  practical 
farm  experience  is  always  expected.  Such  training  and  experience 
are  obtainable  from  three  sources :  Employment  on  farms,  from  agri- 
cultural colleges,  or  from  farms  associated  with  the  colony  enterprise. 

Progress  of  Soldier  Settlements. 

The  legislative  acts  in  all  countries  are  practically  complete.  The 
organization  for  the  administration  of  the  acts  is  largely  completed. 
Some  private  lands  have  been  purchased  and  public  lands  set  aside 
by  all  of  the  English-speaking  countries. 

It  is  not  possible  at  this  time  to  give  a  table  of  the  amount  of  land 
"so  acquired. 

98201°— 19 2 


NOTE   ON   THE   COOPERATION   OF   PUBLIC  AND  PRIVATE 
INTEREST  IN  LAND  SETTLEMENT  FOR  SOLDIERS. 


European  countries  in  contrast  to  English-speaking  countries, 
where  State  action  largely  prevails  in  land  settlement,  have  developed 
a  policy  of  State  cooperation  with  private  societies.  This  is  notably 
true  in  the  cases  of  France,  Holland,  Xorway,  and  Sweden.  Private 
societies  which  are  created  for  the  building  of  houses,  purchase  of 
acre  farms,  or  the  subdivision  of  large  estates  usually  sell  their  se- 
curities in  the  money  market,  realizing  very  small  margins  of  profit, 
but  also  supplementing  their  funds  by  those  received  from  the  State. 
They  also  derive  benefit  and  create  their  reserve  capital  by  means  of 
share  membership.  Even  if  they  depend  wholly  upon  State  funds 
these  private  societies  relieve  the  State  of  a  large  administration 
expense. 

In  Sweden  there  are  three  classes  of  such  associations,  national, 
provincial,  and  local,  17  in  all.  These  associations  are  given  about 
a  million  crowns  a  year  for  their  several  purposes. 

The  real  estate  credit  societies  for  small  holdings  and  dwelling 
houses  are  composed  of  five  elements:  Private  individuals,  savings 
banks,  public  benevolent  institutions,  commissions  and  departments, 
and  the  State.  They  are  aggregations  of  public  and  private  funds 
devoted  to  a  social  purpose.  The  savings  banks  can  not  only  invest 
in  these  societies  but  it  is  of  greater  advantage  for  them  than  to  loan 
to  individuals.  The  commissions  and  departments  not  only  take 
bonds  and  shares;  they  guarantee  the  share  dividends,  but  also  the 
interest.  Through  the  various  agencies  a  society  with  25,000  francs 
of  paid-up  capital  may  make  advances  on  a  total  real  estate  value 
of  625,000  francs. 

These  agricultural  lending  societies  in  France  have  been  given  the 
task  of  purchasing  small  rural  properties  for  soldiers  and  civilian  vic- 
tims of  the  war  in  a  law  signed  April  9  by  President  Poincare.  The 
law  provides  in  part:  "Individual  mortgage  loans  to  facilitate  the 
acquisition,  parceling  out,  transformation,  and  reconstruction  of 
small  rural  properties  of  which  the  value  does  not  exceed  10,000 
francs." 

(10) 


GREAT  BRITAIN. 


Legfislation  and  Appropriation. 

Thus  far  England  has  done  little  more  than  experiment  with  land 
settlement  for  the  soldier.  There  has  been  much  agitation  and 
legislation  for  small  holdings  but  without  achieving  very  satisfac- 
tory results.  Since  the  beginning  of  the  operation  of  the  small  hold- 
ings act  (1911)  for  the  purchase  of  small  acreage  through  the  county 
councils  there  is  said  to  have  been  an  actual  decrease  of  5,500  hold- 
ings of  50  acres  or  under  in  England  and  Wales.  The  statement  has 
also  been  made  that  of  the  15,000  small  holders  who  rent  or  have  pur- 
chased through  the  councils  only  774  have  had  newly  equipped 
farms;  the  remainder  have  had  to  shift  for  themselves.  This  result 
is  not  promising,  considering  the  fact  that  £5,250,000  has  been  ad- 
vanced to  the  councils  out  of  public  funds  for  purchase  and  adap- 
tation. For  the  councils  it  may  be  said  their  advances  are  being 
repaid,  and  their  losses  are  negligible.  The  councils  have  not  used 
the  credit,  banking,  cooperative  transit,  and  market  facility  clause 
of  the  act.  They  have  insisted  that  the  applicant  have  a  capital  of 
at  least  £5  per  acre  of  land  leased  or  purchased.  This  requirement 
has  eliminated  most  laborers.  Although  the  Board  of  Agriculture 
has  the  authority  to  go  forward  with  the  development  of  small  hold- 
ings if  the  council  in  question  does  not  act,  the  Soldiers  and  Sailors 
Land  Committee  of  the  Board  of  Agi-iculture  has  decided  that  set- 
tlement of  soldiers  under  this  act  is  not  feasible.  The  failure  in  the 
main  seems  to  be  due  to  the  letharg}^  of  the  councils. 

By  act  of  Parliament  (6  and  7  Geo.  V,  38)  the  Board  of  Agri- 
culture and  Fisheries  is  enabled  to  acquire  land  for  a  small  number 
of  experimental  holdings.  Four  of  such  areas  for  subdivision  com- 
prising 6,000  acres,  the  maximum  permitted  under  the  act,  have 
been  purchased  or  leased,  three  in  England  and  one  in  Wales.  These 
will  be  described  later.  Recently  a  bill  has  been  introduced  in  Brit- 
ish Parliament  authorizing  the  purchase  of  60,000  acres  of  land  in 
England  and  20,000  acres  of  land  in  Scotland  to  provide  homes  for 
returning  soldiers.  This  is  ten  times  the  area  originally  authorized  to 
be  bought.  In  addition,  large  areas  of  land  in  Scotland  have  been 
given  to  the  Government  to  be  subdivided  into  farms  and  leased  to 
returning  soldiers. 

The  departmental  committee  appointed  by  the  president  of  the 
Board  of  Agriculture  and  Fisheries  to  study  and  propose  settlement 
plans  asked  for  an  appropriation  of  £2,000,000. 

(11) 


12 

I 
Administration, 

Settlement  of  soldiers  in  England  and  Wales  comes  under  the 
Board  of  Agriculture  and  Fisheries.  In  Scotland  the  Board  of 
Agriculture  is  operating  under  the  same  act. 

The  Kind  and  Amount  of  Aid. 

The  land. — Assistance  to  soldiers  has  taken  the  form  of  colonies. 
Four  of  these  have  been  established  to  date  by  the  Soldiers  and 
Sailors  Land  Committee.  The  colonies  to  be  developed  were  planned 
to  accommodate  about  100  families,  each  of  which  is  to  have  from 
10  to  25  acres,  according  to  the  character  of  the  farming.  Two  of 
the  colonies  have  been  obtained  on  a  99-year  lease  at  a  yearly  rental. 
The  other  two  were  purchased.  They  vary  in  size  from  1,000  to  1,345 
acres.  Each  of  these  colonies  is  to  have  an  administration  farm  of 
about  250  acres,  on  which  stock  and  implements  are  maintained  for 
the  use  of  the  small  holders.  However,  the  division  of  the  assets 
has,  up  to  the  last  information,  not  been  accomplished. 

Credit. — The  English  plan  does  not  contemplate  extensive  credit  to 
the  occupiers  of  these  colonies.  The  board  expects  to  supply  oppor- 
tunities for  work  and  to  improve  the  small  holdings  in  a  way  to  make 
them  yield  at  an  early  date  a  support  for  the  settler  and  his  family. 
Such  cash  as  may  be  needed  for  the  purchase  of  stock  may  be  had 
from  the  cooperative  credit  bank  to  be  established  under  the  partner- 
ship of  the  State.  There  are  also  to  be  accommodations  in  the  way 
of  stock  and  implements  at  the  central  farm. 

Land  Tenure. 

In  line  with  the  traditions  of  British  agriculture,  the  Soldiers  and 
Sailors  Committee  favors  tenantry  rather  than  ownership.  The  rea- 
sons given  are :  First,  that  for  the  State  supervision  and  control  it  is 
best ;  second,  to  the  small  holder  tenantry  offers  greater  mobility  and 
freedom  of  movement;  third,  less  capital  is  needed  by  them  in  the 
case  of  a  lease  of  large  areas  than  the  purchase  of  small  holdings. 
The  English  small  farmer  does  not,  it  is  claimed,  care  for  ownership. 
During  the  seven  years  the  small  holdings  act  has  been  in  force  there 
have  been  no  applications  for  purchase. 

The  Selection  and  Training  of  Soldiers. 

Discharged  soldiers  of  the  Army  who  desire  to  farm  are  expected 
to  work  at  least  a  year  on  one  of  these  colonies  before  taking  up  the 
small  holding. 

Progress  of  Land  Settlement. 

Very  recent  information  is  not  at  hand  regarding  the  progress  of 
land  settlement.  The  four  colonies  have  not  yet  been  fully  estab- 
lished. It  is  understood,  however,  that  the  Soldiers  and  Sailors  Com- 
mittee is  preparing  to  make  recommendations  for  a  considerable  ex- 
tension of  colony  settlement. 


CANADA. 


THE  DOMINION  GOVERNMENT. 

Legislation  and  Appropriation. 

A  soldier  settlement  board  of  three  members  was  appointed  in 
February,  1918,  following  upon  the  act  of  August  29,  1917,  called 
an  "Act  to  assist  returned  soldiers  in  settling  upon  the  land  and  to 
increase  agricultural  production."  The  essential  features  of  this 
act  are  the  bestowal  of  agricultural  credit  when  needed  by  soldiers 
in  any  part  of  the  Dominion  and  the  gift  of  Dominion  land  in 
western  Canada.  The  credit  may  be  used  for  acquiring  and  improv- 
ing land,  for  the  payment  of  incumbrances,  erection  of  buildings, 
purchase  of  stocks,  etc. 

The  sum  of  $2,916,000  has  been  appropriated  by  Parliament  for  the 
purposes  of  this  act. 

The  Administration  of  the  Law. 

The  complete  administration  of  the  act  is  in  the  hands  of  three 
departments  or  divisions.  (1)  The  soldier  settlement  board,  which 
with  the  approval  of  the  governors  in  council  may  make  all  funda- 
mental regulation  with  regard  to  purchase  or  occupation  of  land 
and  the  granting  of  loans.  The  board  has  offices  in  each  Province, 
through  which  cooperation  is  established  with  the  provincial  settle- 
ment boards,  the  land  officers,  and  the  advisory  boards.  (2)  The 
interior  department  handles  all  matters  in  connection  with  the  entry, 
patenting,  etc.,  of  Dominion  lands.  (3)  The  provincial  advisory 
boards,  which  are  made  up  of  community  leaders,  who  serve  without 
pay,  and  whose  recommendations  largely  govern. 

Respective  Spheres  of  State  and  Federal  Acts. 

With  the  exception  of  a  certain  amount  of  land  in  the  western 
Provinces  the  control  of  patented  lands,  civil  rights,  and  local  admin- 
istration is  in  the  Province.  The  Dominion  settlement  act  has,  there- 
fore, no  jurisdiction  over  lands  in  the  Provinces  except  in  the  case 
of  those  lands  reserved  by  the  Government.  The  loans  are  intended 
primarily  to  assist  the  soldier  to  develop  the  free  Dominion  lands,  and 
secondarily  to  assist  the  Provinces  when  possible.  As  yet  no  general 
agreement  has  been  made  between  the  Provinces  and  the  Dominion 

(13) 


14 

Government  as  to  the  settlement  of  soldiers.    The  aim,  however,  is 
to  support  provincial  plans  and  policies. 

The  Kind  and  Amount  of  Aid  Offered. 

The  land. — By  civil  right  the  soldier  is  entitled  to  160  acres  of 
vacant  Government  land.  As  a  soldier  he  may  take  up  two  adjoin- 
ing quarter  sections,  making  320  acres.  Special  reservations  have 
been  made  within  15  miles  of  the  railroad  in  northern  Alberta. 

The  credit. — The  maximum  amount  which  the  board  can  loan  to  a 
settler  is  $2,500.  However,  the  amount  which  may  be  loaned  the 
settler  is  in  every  case  dependent  upon  the  value  of  the  security 
which  he  gives.  In  the  case  of  free  land  the  value  is  determined  by 
its  agricultural  productions,  and  the  commercial  value  of  any  other 
security  given.  The  ability  of  the  applicant  to  make  a  living  and  to 
meet  his  obligations  is  taken  into  account.  The  loans  will  constitute 
a  first  charge  upon  the  land.  First-mortgage  security  is  given  for 
all  loans  upon  privately-owned  land. 

Payments  of  principal  and  interest  reach  over  20  years;  the  first 
two  installments  may  be  deferred,  but  the  deferred  payments  will 
continue  to  bear  interest. 

The  rate  of  interest  is  5  per  cent  per  annmri. 

The  Conditiorns  of  Tenure. 

The  law  gives  the  soldier  a  freehold  right  in  the  land.  Patents, 
however,  will  not  be  issued  until  the  entire  loan  is  paid  up.  Trans- 
fers prior  to  that  time  are  with  the  consent  of  the  board.  Residence 
and  cultivation  of  the  land  are  required.  The  settler  may  at  any 
time  pay  to  the  board  the  whole  or  any  part  of  the  money  borrowed 
with  interest. 

Selection  and  Training  of  the  Soldiers. 

Applications  are  passed  on  by  the  advisory  boards  in  each  prov- 
ince. It  is  the  duty  of  these  boards  to  see  that  the  applicant  is 
justly  dealt  with,  according  to  the  merits  of  the  case.  This  board  may 
send  the  soldier  to  a  farmer  for  instruction  or  to  an  agricultural 
training  station.  It  may,  again,  place  the  soldier  upon  the  land 
and  recommend  that  a  grant  be  made.  (It  has  been  reported  that 
the  men  are  as  a  rule  averse  to  an  assignment  to  farmers  as  help,  but 
are  not  opposed  to  a  period  of  training  in  an  agricultural  school, 
where  presumably  they  may  work  together.) 

The  act  empowers  the  Soldiers  Settlement  Board  to  employ  farm 
instructors  and  inspectors  to  assist  settlers,  and  instruction  for  train- 
ing in  domestic  and  household  science  for  settlers'  wives  and  female 
dependents. 


15 

The  Progress  of  Settlement. 

One  week  after  the  opening  date  for  filing  applications  (July, 
1918)  a  total  of  28,000  acres  to  181  soldiers  was  granted. 

Six  hundred  and  ninety  thousand  and  eight  hundred  dollars  in 
loans  to  606  applicants  were  approved  by  July  15.  It  is  reported  that 
10,000  additional  acres  of  Dominion  land  will  be  cultivated  by  sol- 
diers this  year. 

NEW  BRUNSWICK. 
Legislation. 

The  act  of  April,  1916,  "  to  provide  for  settlements  after  the  war  " 
gives  new  duties  to  the  Farm  Settlement  Board  and  creates  an  honor- 
ary body  known  as  the  Advisory  Board.  The  Advisory  Board  receives 
from  the  Farm  Settlement  Board  proposals  for  the  selection  of  suit- 
able lands,  both  private  and  crown ;  also  proposals  for  the  furnishing 
of  supplies,  equipment,  instruction  and  education  to  settlers.  These 
paoposals  are  reported  with  recommendations  to  the  Governor  in 
Council,  who  in  turn  may  make  regulations  for  the  proposals  agreed 
upon.  The  Lieutenant  Governor  in  Council  may  borrow  such  funds 
as  may  be  necessary  upon  the  credit  of  the  Province. 

The  Kind  and  Amount  of  Aid. 

Land  will  be  sold  or  granted  to  settlers  in  amounts  varying  from 
10  to  100  acres.     Opportunity  will  be  given  to  enlarge  acreage. 

In  purchased  lands,  the  soldier  pays  10  per  cent  cash,  the  balance 
in  20  years,  paid  semiannually  with  interest. 

A  patent  or  deed  to  the  land  will  be  given  upon  the  payment  of  all 
advances. 

Selection  and  Training  of  Soldiers. 

New  Brunswick's  plan  is  to  develop  settlements  at  once  and  to 
send  men  to  them  for  employment  and  experience.  A  suitable  village 
or  town  site  is  selected  and  small  farms  laid  out  in  the  immediate 
neighborhood,  with  larger  farms  in  outlying  portions.  A  Govern- 
ment demonstration  farm  is  a  part  of  the  plan ;  here  teams  and  imple- 
ments are  available  as  in  the  case  of  Ontario. 

Settlement  Progress. 

An  area  of  20,000  acres  has  already  been  set  aside  for  beginning 
settlements.  These  settlements  are  to  accommodate  100  to  250 
families. 

PROVINCE  OF  ONTARIO.  . 

Legislation  and  Appropriations. 

Of  all  the  Provinces  of  Canada  Ontario  undoubtedly  leads  in  the 
scheme  which  it  has  adopted  for  the  settlement  of  the  soldier,  as  well 
as  the  progress  that  it  has  made  in  actual  settlement.  The  first  sol- 
diers' act  (No.  150)  was  passed  in  1916.     Its  purpose  was  to  make 


16 

available  the  immense  territory  known  as  the  Clay  Belt,  which  ex- 
tends west  from  the  boundary  between  Ontario  and  Quebec  for  a 
distance  of  400  miles.  The  soil  is  a  rich  clay  loam,  free  from  rock 
and  well  adapted  to  mixed  farming.  The  district  is  reached  by  two 
railroads. 

A  $5,000,000  appropriation  has  recently  been  made  for  northern 
development,  the  larger  part  of  which  will  be  used  in  the  interest 
of  the  soldiers. 

The  Administration  of  the  Act. 

This  is  primarily  in  the  hands  of  the  deputy  minister  of  lands 
and  forests.  A  committee  represented  by  members  from  the  Depart- 
ment of  Lands,  Forests  and  Mines,  the  Department  of  Agriculture, 
the  Military  Hospital  Commission,  the  Great  War  Veteran's  Asso- 
ciation, the  Soldiers'  Aid  Commission,  the  Canadian  Patriotic  Fund 
Commission,  and  the  Vocational  Training  School  pass  upon  appli- 
cations and  determine  the  disposition  to  be  made  of  the  soldier. 

The  plan  is  wholly  a  provincial  one,  so  that  its  relation  thus  far 
to  the  Dominion  board  is  only  indirect  and  incidental. 

Kind  and  Amount  of  Aid  Granted. 

One  hundred  acres,  of  which  10  have  been  cleared,  will  be  allowed 
each  soldier  without  charge.  When  necessary  a  loan  not  to  exceed 
$500  will  be  made  to  pay  for  housing,  machinery,  tools,  and  live- 
stock. The  amount  loaned  is  repayable  in  20  years  with  6  per  cent 
interest.  No  payment  of  principle  or  interest  is  required  for  three 
years.  This  may  appear  a  small  amount,  but  is  not  so  when  other 
aid  is  taken  into  account.  The  ex-soldier  is  paid  for  clearing  his  10 
acres  and  also  receives  the  assistance  of  his  fellow  settlers.  A  central 
colony  farm  will  be  established  in  each  district.  Here  the  settler 
may  obtain  the  use  of  houses  and  a  stock  of  the  heavier  farm  imple- 
ments without  the  need  of  purchase.  The  central  farm  will  assist 
in  many  other  ways. 

While  the  men  are  in  training  or  employed  in  groups,  they  will  be 
paid.  Single  men  receive  $2.50  per  day,  married  men  $1.10  a  day 
■with  a  maximum  monthly  allowance  of  $30  for  dependents. 

The  Land  Tenure. 

A  patent  from  the  Crown  is  obtainable  in  five  years  from  the  time 
the  soldier  begins  work  on  his  own  land.  He  must  have  carried  for- 
ward the  development  of  his  land. 

The  Selection  and  Training  of  Soldiers. 

Applicants  for  land  are  first  given  a  physical  examination.  Their 
applications  are  then  considered  by  a  committee,  the  members  of 
which  have  already  been  indicated.  Most  of  the  men  are  sent  to 
the  Agricultural  Training  Depot,  established  on  the  Government 


17 

experimental  farm  at  Montieth.  After  longer  or  shorter  training 
periods  they  are  then  sent  to  the  farm  colonies  that  have  already 
been  established.  Already  several  hundred  men  have  been  provided 
with  land.  As  early  as  October,  1917,  there  were  500  applications 
for  land  on  file. 

BRITISH  COLUMBIA. 

Legislation  and  Appropriations. 

A  number  of  acts  have  been  passed  in  this  Province  to  aid  the 
soldiers.  The  acts  confer  added  powers  upon  the  Land  Settlement 
Board,  which,  with  the  sanction  of  the  Lieutenant  Governor  in  Coun- 
cil, can  make  loans,  lease,  exchange,  set  aside  Crown  lands,  purchase, 
subdivide,  and  farm  private  lands.  The  land  settlement  act  of 
1918  permits  the  board  to  establish  "  Settlement  areas  "  where  good 
but  undeveloped  lands  are  available.  Owners  therein  must  either 
improve  their  lands  or  sell  to  the  board  at  an  appraised  value.  If 
the  owner  files  a  statement  claiming  a  higher  value,  such  value  will 
be  taken  for  assessment.  The  penalty  for  not  making  improvements 
is  a  tax  of  5  per  cent  of  the  board's  or  the  owner's  values,  in  addition 
to  all  other  taxes. 

The  soldier's  land  act  of  1918  empowers  the  board  to  expend  not 
more  than  $500,000  for  the  purchase  of  private  land. 

The  Adininistration. 

The  Minister  of  Lands  administers  all  affairs  concerning  lands; 
the  Land  Settlement  B<5ard  in  cooperation  with  other  related  depart- 
ments of  the  Government  deals  with  the  soldiers.  The  Agricultural 
Credit  Commission  administers  the  loan  funds.  In  general,  British 
Columbia  in  common  with  most  of  the  other  Provinces  has  not  found 
it  necessary  to  provide  for  service  men,  but  merely  to  enlarge  the 
powers  of  the  existing  agencies. 

State  and  Federal  Action. 

The  act  of  1918  instructs  the  Lieutenant  Governor  in  Council  to 
convey  to  the  Dominion  such  Crown  lands  as  may  be  necessary.  In 
this  way  the  Dominion  appropriation  of  $2,500  may  be  used  for 
British  Columbia  soldiers.  Fifty  thousand  acres  have  already  been 
set  aside  for  soldier  settlement. 

The  British  Columbia  Government  does  not  state  expressly  what 
assistance  it  will  give  soldiers,  each  case  being  dealt  with  individ- 
ually. The  aid  is  liberal,  however.  A  soldier  may  acquire  160  acres 
of  free  land  or  purchase  through  the  board  this  amount  of  private 
land. 

British  Columbia  follows  the  general  plan  of  Ontario  as  to  the 
training  of  soldiers,  relying  somewhat  more,  perhaps,  on  turning  the 
soldiers  over  to  farmers  to  gain  the  necessary  experience. 


AUSTRALIA. 


AUSTRALIA'S  EXPERIENCE  IN  LAND  SETTLEMENT. 

The  Australian  States  have  had  a  relatively  long  experience  in  the 
purchase,  subdivision,  and  settlement  of  lands;  they  can  in  general 
do  little  more  for  the  soldier  than  they  have  done  for  the  settler  since 
1901,  except  to  hasten  the  development  of  new  areas  of  land  and  to 
increase  the  rate  of  purchase.  Between  1901  and  1914  the  six  Aus- 
tralian States  purchased  and  subdivided  3,056,957  acres,  for  which 
$55,243,125  was  paid,  or  about  $18  an  acre.  Settlers  were  also  as- 
sisted to  build  homes  and  to  make  needed  improvements.  Between 
1909  and  1914,  $68,029,500  was  loaned  for  improvements.  The  Com- 
monwealth Government  alone  will  advance  £100,000  to  settlers  in 
1917-18.  It  expects  to  advance  £2,000,000  in  1918-19.  The  farmer 
pays  a  higher  rate  of  interest  than  that  paid  by  the  State ;  land  set- 
tlement has,  therefore,  not  been  an  added  burden  to  the  taxpayer. 
Although  Australia  has  vast  areas  of  land  unoccupied,  most  of  that 
which  is  susceptible  of  being  brought  under  cultivation  at  moderate 
expense  has  already  undergone  development.  A  serious  problem 
confronts  the  Dominion  and  State  governments  in  providing  land 
in  any  such  proportion  as  that  which  has  already  been  called  for  by 
her  soldiers. 

The  Dominion  Government. 

The  Australian  Dominion  Government  was  the  first  to  draft  a 
fully  adequate  law  to  repatriate  the  soldier,  be  he  maimed  or  whole 
bodied.  The  repatriation  act  of  1916  was  intended  to  consolidate 
and  stabilize  the  private  patriotic  funds  which  were  being  accumu- 
lated in  the  several  States,  and  were  being  administered  locally.  The 
Government  added  to  the  sums  collected  by  the  States,  making  a 
total  fund  of  £359,355.  This  was  used  for  relief  and  vocational 
service  of  all  kinds,  including  small  sums  for  the  reestablishment  of 
shops  and  small  farms. 

The  next  step  was  a  beginning  toward  actual  settlement.  In  con- 
sideration of  the  number  of  men  in  the  Army  who  have  expressed 
a  desire  to  take  up  land  the  Government  contemplates  an  expenditure 
of  £20,000,000 — an  equivalent  for  the  population  of  the  United  States 
of  about  $2,000,000,000,  to  place  soldiers  upon  the  land. 

(18) 


19 

Respective  Spheres  of  State  and  Federal  Action. 

Under  the  plan  worked  out  with  the  States  the  latter  are  to  pro- 
vide the  land  for  settlement,  while  the  Commonwealth  makes  ad- 
vances to  cover  the  cost  of  the  improvements,  stock,  etc.  The  plan  of 
cooperation  as  at  present  worked  out  is  to  the  effect  that  the  Com- 
monwealth will  supply  the  necessary  funds,  amounting  to  £22,000  in 
all  for  the  credit  and  advances  of  all  kinds  to  settlers.  A  joint  board, 
consisting  of  a  minister  for  each  State,  and  the  Commonwealth  min- 
ister, will  supervise  operations.  "The  board  will  recommend  ad- 
vances of  money  to  soldier  settlers,  decide  upon  the  purposes  for 
which  such  advances  may  be  made;  decide  upon  the  rate  of  interest, 
and  method  of  repayment.  *  *  *  The  advances  will  be  made 
at  reasonable  rates.  Each  settler  will  be  allowed  an  advance  up  to  the 
full  value  of  his  improvements.  In  this  way  capital  which  each 
settler  must  possess  of  his  own  will  be  reduced  to  a  comparatively 
small  figure." 

NEW  SOUTH  WALES. 

Legislation  and  Appropriation.  • 

The  soldiers'  settlement  act  was  passed  in  1916  and  amended  in 
1917,  which  gave  the  minister  power  to  set  apart  any  area,  crown 
land  or  land  acquired  in  closer  settlement  acts,  for  the  benefit  of 
soldiers.  In  general,  land  is  acquired  by  the  soldiers  under  the  cus- 
tomary forms  of  land  tenure,  such  as  that  of  the  Farmstead  Home 
or  the  Crown  Lease.  Provisions  are  made  in  the  Returned  Sol- 
diers' Special  Holding  and  in  that  of  Group  Settlement  Purchase. 
This  special  legislation  gives  the  settlers  a  few  advantages,  such  as 
that  of  group  settlement,  and  application  by  one  or  more  (instead 
of  three)  settlers  for  the  purchase  of  private  land  which  the  pur- 
chaser has  selected. 

The  Administration. 

The  Minister  of  Lands  has  full  charge  of  all  settlements  and  loans. 
A  large  number  of  district  land  officers  assist.  Applications  are 
dealt  with  by  a  Classification  Committee. 

New  South  Wales  has  developed  a  complete  system  for  settlement, 
and  advance  of  credit;  mention  is  not  made  of  the  existence  of  a. 
working  arrangement  with  the  Dominion  Government. 

Kind  and  Amount  of  Aid. 

The  land. — The  most  important  aid  which  New  South  Wales  gives 
her  soldiers  is  found  in  the  method  by  which  land  values  are  fixed 
and  the  long  time  allowed  for  payment  and  low  interest  rate.  The 
value  fixed  is  as  near  the  earning  capacity  of  the  land  and  its  loca- 
tion as  it  is  possible  to  make  it.    The  annual  payments  are  fixed  at 


20 

2^  per  cent  of  this  capital  value.  The  semiannual  payments  are 
spread  over  38  years,  the  first  two  years  being  omitted.  In  the  case 
ol'  the  group  settlement  purchase  five  years'  residence  on  the  block 
or  employment  in  the  group  settlement  is  required.  Payments  begin 
six  months  after  purchase  and  are  at  the  rate  of  6  per  cent  of  the 
value.  In  the  purchase  of  private  land  with  the  approval  of  the 
minister,  the  purchaser  is  obliged  to  pay  the  first  installment,  the 
balance  being  provided  by  the  Government  and  repayable  by  annual 
installments.  Ten  years'  residence  is  required,  and  improvement 
equal  to  10  per  cent  of  capital  value  must  be  effected  in  two  years,  15 
per  cent  in  five  years  and  25  per  cent  in  10  years. 

The  credit. — Five  hundred  pounds  are  advanced  for  improve- 
ments. Such  advances  will  be  allowed  for  improvements  effected 
by  the  settler  in  the  same  way  as  if  work  had  been  done  by  con- 
tract or  hired  labor.  Maintenance  is  allowed  during  probationary 
work,  but  such  allowances  must  come  out  of  the  loan.  Repayment  of 
loans  will  be  extended  over  25  years  (first  five  years  interest  only  to 
be  paid).  Tools,  stock,  and  implements  are  paid  for  in  six  years 
l^first  year  interest  only  to  be  paid).    Seeds,  plants,  trees,  one  year. 

The  Land  Tenure. 

New  South  Wales  does  not  give  an  absolute  title  to  the  land. 
When  all  conditions  have  been  met  the  holder  receives  a  lease  in 
perpetuity  which  for  all  practical  purposes  is  equivalent  to  a  free- 
hold title.  The  "  rent "  for  the  land,  as  has  been  said,  is  based  upon 
the  capital  value  of  the  land  as  determined  by  the  Local  Land  Board, 
reappraisement  of  this  value  being  made  in  20-year  periods. 

Selection  and  Training  of  the  Soldiers. 

Every  man  in  the  imperial  service  who  wants  a  farm  is  given  an 
opportunity  to  show  his  fitness.  He  may  on  his  own  initiative  gain 
six  months'  experience  on  a  farm  or  go  to  the  Government  Farm  for 
the  necessary  training. 

Settlement  Progress. 

The  State  has  made  fair  progress  in  providing  farms.  Prepara- 
tion of  1,000  farms  in  the  Yanco  irrigation  area  is  already  under  way. 
The  average  farm  is  to  be  50  acres.  Other  areas  are  under  develop- 
ment. 

The  State  plans  to  lay  great  emphasis  upon  the  cooperative  services 
which  may  be  used  in  the  community.  These  services  apply  not  only 
to  the  preparation  of  the  lands  of  settlers,  but  to  such  matters  as 
distribution  and  sale  of  products,  purchase  of  supplies,  establishment 
and  management  of  canneries,  creameries,  etc.  Settlers  on  the  pro- 
jects of  the  State  have  always  shown  great  willingness  to  loan  their 
labor  and  their  teams  for  the  use  of  newcomers. 


21 

The  State  has  already  been  called  upon  to  provide  farms  for  5,000 
ex-soldiers  and  is  finding  difficulty  in  keeping  pace  with  the  demand, 
although  up  to  March  the  Government  had  purchased  18  estates  of 
171,213  acres,  and  it  is  proposed  to  make  2,000,000  acres  available 
by  January,  1920. 

VICTORIA. 

Legislation  and  Appropriations. 

Under  the  Victoria  closer  settlement  act  some  567,687  acres  have 
been  purchased  for  civilian  settlement.  The  lands  average  $37  an  acre 
in  cost  and  were  sold  to  the  settlers  for  about  $45  an  acre,  super- 
vision and  settlement  absorbing  the  difference.  Up  to  the  beginning 
of  the  year  4,112  settlers  had  secured  land  imder  the  act. 

Victoria's  act  for  the  settlement  of  discharged  soldiers  on  the  land 
was  passed  October,  1917  (8  Geo.  V.  2916).  The  act  makes  special 
provision  for  returned  soldiers  beyond  those  found  in  the  general 
closer  settlement  act  of  1915.  It  also  authorizes  extensive  develop- 
ment of  irrigated  areas  and  purchase  of  nonirrigable  land.  Moneys 
expended  in  agricultural  development  come  from  the  sale  of  State 
bonds  in  the  London  market. 

Administration  of  the  Law. 

The  land  purchase  and  management  board,  responsible  to  a  minis- 
ter of  lands,  administers  the  law  in  regard  to  all  nonirrigable  land, 
and  the  State  Rivers  and  Water  Supply  Commission  is  responsible 
for  settlement  upon  irrigable  areas. 

The  council  of  every  district  or  municipality  is  made  an  advisory 
committee  to  the  board.  The  duty  of  these  committees  is  to  report 
upon  land  available,  to  aid  and  encourage  soldiers  and  to  assist  the 
board  in  every  way. 

Victoria  has  opened  her  lands  to  all  soldiers  of  the  empire  who 
have  been  duly  certified  in  London  as  fitted  for  settlement.  The 
State  has  been  hastening  the  improvement  of  all  available  irrigated 
land  and  has  made  large  purchases  of  land  in  regions  of  satisfactory 
rainfall.  Data  are  not  at  hand  as  to  the  acreage  purchased,  but  some 
$5,000,000  has  been  set  aside  for  this  purpose. 

It  is  believed  that  an  expenditure  of  $25,000,000  will  be  necessary 
to  provide  sufficient  land  for  the  soldiers  who  return  or  come  to 
Victoria. 

Respective  Spheres,  Etc. 

Victoria  was  a  party  to  the  original  agreement  with  the  Dominion 
Government  with  regard  to  the  consolidation  of  the  repatriation 
fund.  She  will  probably,  if  she  has  not  already  done  so,  adopt  the 
Dominion  plan  of  settlement  as  outlined. 


22 

Kind  and  Amount  of  Aid. 

Civilian  settlers  are  required  to  pay  a  deposit  of  3  per  cent  on  the 
capital  value  of  the  land  on  taking  it,  and  to  make  amortized  pay- 
ments of  6  per  cent  per  annum  for  31^  years.  Soldiers,  however,  need 
make  no  paj^ments  for  3  years. 

It  is  preferred  that  the  soldier  have  some  capital.  To  this  and  to 
the  value  contributed  by  the  soldier's  labor,  the  State  will  make  ad- 
ditions. The  general  rule  for  advances  is  70  per  cent  of  existing 
value  up  to  $2,500.     All  loans  are  made  by  the  State  Savings  Bank. 

The  State  will  also  make  advances  to  those  soldiers  who  desire  to 
go  in  for  share  farming,  when  such  loans  are  indorsed  by  the  proper 
authorities. 

Tenure  of  the  Land. 

Victoria  bestows  a  freehold  right  in  the  land.  The  applicant  for 
land  under  the  general  act  gets  a  right  to  occupy.  He  then  receives 
a  conditional  purchase  lease  which  may  run  for  the  period  of  the 
payments.  At  the  expiration  of  12  years,  if  all  covenants  and  agree- 
ments have  been  met,  and  all  purchase  money  for  land  and  improve- 
roents  paid,  a  Crown  Grant  for  the  land  is  given. 

Residence  for  eight  months  is  required  of  the  civilian ;  the  soldier 
is  exempt  from  this  requirement,  but  he  may  not  have  two  holdings 
and  can  not  sublease. 

Selection  and  Training  of  Soldiers. 

Experience  is  gained  at  the  Agricultural  College  or  in  working  for 
farmers  on  the  Land  Board.  The  local  advisory  bodies  and  the  land 
officers  have  the  responsibility  of  selecting  men. 

Victoria  is  having  difficulty  in  providing  land  fast  enough  for 
soldier  needs.  The  Land  Board  has  asked  holders  of  large  tracts  to 
get  together  and  set  apart  and  subdivide  acreage  for  soldiers'  needs. 

QUEENSLAND. 

Legislation  and  Appropriations. 

The  Discharged  Soldiers  act  of  1917  (No.  32  of  1917)  provides 
facilities  for  the  land  settlement  of  discharged  soldiers.  Practically 
all  of  the  Crown  land  in  the  State  has  been  reserved  for  the  soldiers. 
Sixty  thousand  acres  of  tliis  land  have  been  especially  set  aside  for 
group  settlements.  The  constitution  of  the  Consolidated  Revenue 
Fund  by  means  of  sales  of  bonds  is  arranged  through  the  Governor 
in  Council.  All  expenditures  are  made  by  the  Minister  of  Lands, 
with  the  approval  of  the  Governor  in  Council.  The  act  does  not 
state  the  amount  of  tlie  fund,  but  bonds  are  authorized  to  meet  the 
requirements. 


23 

The  Kind  and  Amount  of  Aid. 

In  Queensland,  as  in  New  South  "Wales,  public  land  is  disposed 
of  under  lease.  The  terms  to  the  solider  are  most  generous.  No 
rent  is  required  for  the  first  three  3'ears,  and  from  the  fourth  to  the 
fifteenth  year  the  annual  rent  is  1^  per  cent  of  the  capital  value,  and 
is  fixed  by  the  Minister  of  Land.  However,  the  lessee  is  obliged  to 
meet  requirements  as  to  improvements  and  residence.  For  the  first 
10  years  of  the  term  the  soldier  settler  may  not  mortgage  his  land 
except  to  the  Commissioner  of  the  Government  Savings  Bank,  or 
transfer  it,  except  to  another  returned  soldier.  ^ 

For  Crown  land  the  capital  value  will  be  from  10  shillings  per 
acre  upward,  and  will  not  go  beyond  30  shillings  per  acre.  On  re- 
sumed areas  the  capital  value  will  depend  on  the  price  paid  by  the 
State. 

Credit  advances. — The  soldier  settler  may  borrow  up  to  $2,500 
from  the  Government  Savings  Bank  for  making  improvements  on 
the  land,  erecting  dwellings,  etc.  While  the  civilian  settler  pays 
5  per  cent  for  such  loans,  the  soldier  settler  pays  but  3^  per  cent  for 
the  first  year,  4  per  cent  during  the  second  year  and  an  increasing 
rate  of  ^  per  cent  per  year  until  the  rate  of  5  per  cent  is  reached. 
The  repaj^ment  of  the  loan  reaches  over  40  years.  Advances  for 
the  purchase  of  stock,  machinery,  or  implements  may  command  an 
additional  loan.  In  fact  the  total  advances  may  amount  to  as  much  as 
$6,000. 

Land  Tenure. 

Both  in  the  case  of  public  land  and  that  resumed,  a  freehold  title 
is  not  given,  but  in  its  place  the  occupant  receives  a  perpetual  lease 
selection  when  all  the  conditions  have  been  met. 

Process  of  Soldier  Settlement. 

Three  large  areas  are  at  present  undergoing  development  for  sol- 
dier settlement.  The  Beerburren  Settlement  is  in  the  most  advanced 
condition.  The  total  area  of  this  settlement  is  some  51,000  acres  and 
the  land  is  suitable  for  pineapple  growing,  also  that  of  citrus  fruits. 
At  this  settlement  there  is  a  training  farm  where  the  men  are  given 
working  loiowlcdge  of  the  agricultural  conditions  of  the  region. 
They  receive  wages  of  from  two  pounds  to  two  pounds  ten  shillings  a 
week,  while  there.  There  is  also  a  general  store  and  a  State  school, 
together  with  a  library.  At  Pikedale,  a  border  town  near  New  South 
AVales,  there  is  also  another  area  of  17,400  acres.  Clearing  and  road 
making  is  going  on  in  this  reservation.  A  State  nursery  has  been 
planned  and  soldiers  will  be  employed  on  it.  Another  center  is  at 
Oswald's  Track  in  North  Queensland  near  Innisfall.  Here  157,300 
acres  have  been  reserved  for  soldiers.    The  land  is  suitable  for  dairy- 


24 

ing.  general  agriculture  and  sugar  cane  farms.  Another  40,000  acres 
are  projected  in  the  Cecil  Plains  in  the  Toowoomla  district,  and  still 
another  112,000  acres  on  Mount  Hutton.  Further  areas  amounting  to 
62,400  acres  in  various  parts  of  the  State  have  been  set  aside. 

SOUTH  AUSTRALIA. 
The  Administration. 

In  this  State  an  act  was  passed  in  1915,  and  another  in  1916  (7 
Geo.  V,  No.  1264).  In  this  act  the  povt^ers  of  the  land  board,  the 
land  commissioner  and  the  governor  are  specified.  The  governor 
has  the  power  to  set  aside  lands,  to  purchase  lands  and  to  make  any 
regulations  conducive  to  the  purpose  of  the  act.  A  separate  ma- 
chinery is  not  set  up  for  the  execution  of  the  law. 

South  Australia  has  joined  the  Federal  plan  as  outlined  under 
Dominion  Government. 

The  Aid  Rendered  Soldiers. 

The  usual  low  rate  of  interest  and  long-term  payments  are  ac- 
corded the  soldier.  Assistance  for  development  is  available  both 
from  the  State  and  the  Federal  Government.  The  rent  of  the  land  in 
the  case  of  the  soldier  may  be  remitted  for  as  long  a  time  as  the  com- 
missioner deems  necessary.  The  settler  is  expected  to  have  some 
capital. 

Tenure  of  the  Land. 

South  Australia  gives  a  perpetual  lease  rather  than  a  freehold 
title.  No  lease  granted  can  be  transferred  except  on  the  recom- 
mendation of  the  land  board  with  the  consent  of  the  commissioner. 

Training  of  Soldiers. 

The  Government  has  established  farms  in  the  repurchased  land 
and  the  irrigation  areas  for  the  training  of  ex-service  men  who  have 
not  had  previous  experience. 

Progress  of  Settlement. 

Two  large  blocks  of  land  have  been  purchased  for  closer  settle- 
ment. There  are  large  areas  of  Crown  lands  suitable  for  wheat 
growing.    Much  other  land  is  available  when  it  can  be  drained. 

WESTERN  AUSTRALIA. 

Government  Provisions. 

The  State  has  reserved  land  in  the  "  Wheat  belt "  and  in  the 
"  Southwest."  In  the  wheat  belt  the  soldier  may  purchase  840  acres 
at  1.5  shillings  per  acre  and  select  160  acres  for  which  he  need  only 
pay  the  survey  fee.  For  this  and  for  any  money  the  Government 
may  have  expended  for  the  land,  payment  is  spread  over  30  years. 


25 

To  handle  such  a  farm  the  soldier  should  have  a  capital  of 
£500,  but  some  of  this  can  be  borrowed  from  the  Agricultural  Bank. 
Residence  and  progressive  improvements  are  required. 

In  the  Southwest  timbered  land  the  soldier  may  select  160  acres. 
A  part  of  this  will  be  cleared  by  the  Government. 

Training  stations  are  provided  in  the  Southwest.  The  State  does 
not  pay  men  while  gaining  experience  as  work  is  available  on  every 
hand. 

TASMANIA. 

Tasmania  has,  in  general,  followed  the  plan  of  New  Zealand  in 
dividing  its  lands  for  soldier  settlement  into  ordinary  and  special 
tenures.  By  the  act  of  1916  (7  George  V  No.  20)  the  Closer  Settle- 
ment Board,  established  by  prior  acts,  was  given  the  task  of  soldier 
settlement,  the  same  act  providing  a  closer  settlement  fund  of  not 
less  than  £150,000.  The  Tasmanian  Administration  is  notably  lib- 
eral with  soldiers.  Interest  is  waived  for  the  first  12  months  and 
payments  of  principal  for  the  first  four  years,  all  of  the  deferred 
interest  being  added  on  to  the  principal  to  be  paid  back  over 
a  long  term  of  years.  In  common  with  other  Australian  States  this 
Government  gives  the  soldier  a  credit  of  £500. 

The  land  can  be  acquired  either  by  purchase  or  on  lease.  First- 
class  land  may  be  bought  by  the  200  acres  at  £1  per  acre;  second-class 
land  of  a  larger  number  of  acres  can  be  obtained  at  10  shillings  per 
acre  and  third-class  land  of  still  larger  areas  at  5  shillings  per  acre. 

Residence  is  necessary  according  to  the  provisions  of  the  Crown 
Lands  acts.  No  interest  or  taxes  will  be  payable  for  four  years  for 
the  sale,  or  in  the  case  of  lease  of  the  land  no  rent  will  be  charged 
for  the  first  year. 


NEW  ZEALAND. 


Legislation  and  Appropriations. 

The  first  act  was  passed  in  1915,  but  it  was  extensively  amended  in 
1916  and  1917.  Lands  for  soldiers  are  of  two  classes,  ordinary  ten- 
ures being  areas  for  general  farming  and  sheep  runs,  and  special 
tenure  being  small  acreage  near  towns  and  cities,  largely  for  dis- 
abled soldiers.  Lands  under  ordinary  tenures  are  purchased  or  set 
apart  by  proclamation.  These  may  be  obtained  for  cash,  occupa- 
tion with  right  of  purchase,  renewal  lease,  or  small  grazing  run  lease, 
as  the  case  may  be. 

In  the  year  1917,  276,290  acres  were  set  apart  for  the  soldiers. 

The  demand  for  land  in  New  Zealand  is  very  great,  the  best  por- 
tions which  are  suitably  served  by  transportation  being  already  set- 
tled. Under  the  Public  Works  act  (1908)  the  Government  has  the 
right  to  prescribe  the  limit  of  area  which  may  be  retained  by  a  land- 
owner for  different  classes  of  land.  This  law  is  invoked  for  the 
benefit  of  the  soldier,  in  the  case  of  land  in  the  neighborhood  of  the 
cities.  In  1916,  £500,000  was  appropriated  for  this  purpose.  The 
Land  Board  may  also  purchase  any  private  property  when  it  is 
specifically  applied  for  by  a  discharged  soldier.  In  this  case  land 
must  be  offered  voluntarily  to  the  State. 

In  adidtion  to  the  above  amount,  £120,000  has  been  appropriated 
for  advances  to  soldiers  and  for  roadways  opening  blocks  of  land. 

The  Administration. 

Land  purchases  and  settlements  are  placed  in  the  hands  of  the 
Land  Board  with  the  consent  of  the  minister.  The  Land  Board  is 
assisted  by  a  staff  of  inspectors  and  instructors.  Complaint  is  made, 
however,  that  the  absence  of  a  special  soldiers'  board  has  been  detri- 
mental to  the  interests  of  the  soldier;  that  his  case  and  his  rights 
which  have  been  recognized  so  fully  elsewhere  are  not  sufficiently 
protected. 

Kind  and  Amount  of  Aid. 

In  the  purchase  of  land  the  soldier  pays  5  per  cent  down  and  5 
per  cent  interest.  A  lease  will  have  a  66-year  term,  with  perpetual 
right  of  renewal  at  the  rate  of  4^  per  cent  based  on  the  capital  value 
of  the  land. 

(26) 


27 

Advances  of  £500  and  even  £750  will  be  made  for  purchases  of  pri- 
vate land,  for  transfer  of  lease,  or  any  land  administered  by  the 
board.  Such  advances  are  also  used  for  all  ordinary  purposes  of 
improvement.    All  sums  are  advanced  as  required  rather  than  in  lump. 

Land  Tenure. 

This  is  either  in  tlie  form  of  lease  or  freehold.  New  Zealand  has 
not  adopted  a  uniform  policy  in  either  direction  in  the  case  of  set- 
tled lands.  Lands  held  under  lease  may  be  purchased  by  the  sol- 
dier. The  range  land  is,  however,  always  held  under  lease.  The 
soldier  is  not  permitted  to  transfer  his  land  without  the  consent  of 
the  board  for  a  period  of  10  years.  The  land  is  revalued  at  intervals, 
both  for  taxation  and  lease  payments. 

Selection,  Training,  and  Placing  of  Soldiers. 

The  board  does  not  emphasize  preparatory  training.  A  man  is 
early  placed  upon  the  land,  and  his  instruction  left  to  agricultural 

agents. 

Up  to  March  31,  1917,  319  applicants  were  provided  with  143,524 
acres.  One  hundred  and  eighty  were  placed  upon  Crown  lands  and 
131  upon  land  acquired  under  the  land  settlement  act. 

The  Government  has  provided  suburban  land  suitable  for  market 
gardening,  poultry  farms,  small  areas  of  rural  land  adapted  to  bee- 
keeping, small  farms  suitable  for  dairying,  fruit  growing,  etc. ;  large 
holdings  suitable  for  mixed  farming;  and  pastoral  country  for  graz- 
ing only. 

Thirty  thousand  nine  hundred  and  fifty-six  pounds  have  been  paid  to 
143  soldiers.  The  rate  of  progress  is,  however,  not  entirely  satisfac- 
tory. Of  the  16,670  soldiers  that  have  returned  from  the  front  up  to 
May  1,  1918,  only  624  have  taken  up  land.  It  is  claimed  settlement 
is  not  pushed  by  the  land  board. 


UNION  OF  SOUTH  AFRICA. 


No  le^slation  of  importance  has  been  passed  in  the  Union  of 
South  Africa  making  toward  the  settlement  of  soldiers.  The  British 
South  African  Co.  has  500,000  acres  for  settlement.  There  has  also 
been  formed  the  Royal  Colony  Institute  with  2,000  acres  of  irrigable 
land.  This  land  is  to  be  divided  into  blocks  of  30  and  40  acres,  the 
latter  to  be  the  maximum  to  be  allowed,  although  a  settler  may  ac- 
quire further  land  outside  of  this  area.  The  State  will  provide  sta- 
tion officers  and  will,  if  necessary,  arrange  for  the  erection  of  such 
permanent  improvements  as  are  necessary,  the  cost  of  this  under- 
taking to  be  added  to  the  purchase  price. 

The  British  South  African  Co.'s  land  is  irrigable  and  they  will 
clear  the  land  of  bush,  stumps,  and  plow  to  a  depth  of  9  or  10 
inches.  Twenty  per  cent  of  the  purchase  price  will  be  paid  in  six 
years  and  the  balance  in  the  four  following  years.  A  settler  there 
will  not  pay  interest  in  the  first  five  years  in  which  he  is  establishing 
himself.    A  working  capital  of  $2,500  is  considered  necessary. 

(28) 


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